What was the cause of the Napier earthquake?
The Napier earthquake had been caused by movement along a fault buried deep beneath the region. When it moved, an area above the fault, about 90 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide, domed upward. The land and sea floor were raised by as much as 2.7 metres.
How much damage did the Napier earthquake do?
The 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, also known as the Napier earthquake, occurred in New Zealand at 10:47 am on 3 February, killing 256, injuring thousands and devastating the Hawke’s Bay region. It remains New Zealand’s deadliest natural disaster….1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake.
| Tsunami | moderate |
| Casualties | 256 dead, thousands injured |
What fault line caused the Napier earthquake 1931?
Napier-Hawke Bay Fault
The magnitude MS 7.8 earthquake lasted 2 and a half minutes and was felt as far south as Timaru. It was produced by rupture on a northeast-trending buried fault, probably the Napier-Hawke Bay Fault. The initiation point (start) of the earthquake was about 20 km north east of Napier and about 30 kilometres deep.
How many died in Napier earthquake?
256
1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake/Number of deaths
The official death toll for the Hawke’s Bay earthquake is 256 (161 in Napier, 93 in Hastings, two in Wairoa). However, there are 258 names on the earthquake memorial in Napier.
What happened during the 1931 Napier earthquake?
On 3 February 1931, New Zealand’s deadliest earthquake devastated the cities of Napier and Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. At least 256 people died in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake: 161 in Napier, 93 in Hastings, and two in Wairoa. Many thousands more required medical treatment.
What damage did the Christchurch earthquake cause?
It caused widespread damage across Christchurch, killing 185 people, in the nation’s fifth-deadliest disaster….2011 Christchurch earthquake.
| Damaged Catholic cathedral two months on | |
|---|---|
| Landslides | Sumner and Redcliffs |
| Casualties | 185 deaths 1,500–2,000 injuries, 164 serious |
When was the last earthquake in Napier?
Earthquakes Today: latest quakes in or near Napier City, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: past 7 days
| Date and time | Mag Depth | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2021 10:03 pm (GMT +12) (Nov 7, 2021 10:03 GMT) 1 day 14 hours ago | 3.0 25 km | Map |
| Nov 7, 2021 10:53 pm (GMT +13) (Nov 7, 2021 09:53 GMT) 1 day 14 hours ago | 1.5 26 km | Map |
How did the world find out about the Napier earthquake?
A special reporter sent by the New Zealand Herald on the day of the earthquake reached Napier at night to find “a city of the dead, except for the glow of a land fire, and the lights of ships” (NZH quoted in Wright, 2001:83).
Is Napier a fault line?
The geological map of Hawke’s Bay is centred around the Napier-Hastings area, and included improved information about the Awanui Fault. “Under Napier, the 1931 fault movement did not reach the surface, making it what we call a blind or concealed fault, not visible at the surface,” GNS geologist Julie Lee said.
Who was affected in the Napier earthquake?
Fires were everywhere” (NZH 6/2/1931 quoted in Wright, 2001:77). It wasn’t until that afternoon that the fires finally died out and the destruction could be assessed (McGregor, 1998). Most of the structural damage and human casualties occurred in Napier’s (and Hastings) central business district.
What is Napier known for?
Street after street of stunning and beautifully-restored Art Deco buildings have made Napier famous as one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. In 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke’s Bay for more than three minutes, killing nearly 260 and destroying the commercial centre of Napier.
What were the effects of the New Zealand earthquake 2011?
The Christchurch earthquake caused extensive damage to infrastructure and buildings. Multiple buildings collapsed, and the city was impacted by burst water mains, flooding, liquefaction and power outages. The port was damaged, and many roads cracked.
How many people died in the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake?
On this calm Tuesday morning in Hawke’s Bay, the region was rocked by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that violently shook for three minutes. Tragically 256 people lost their lives in the quake (161 in Napier, 93 in Hastings and two in Wairoa) making the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake the deadliest natural disaster in New Zealand’s history.
When was the earthquake in Napier in 1931?
On the morning of 3 February 1931, the air ‘had grown still and oppressive’ and the sea was ‘so calm and still’ and a ‘most peculiar colour’, so much that everyone was talking about it (Wright, 2001). At almost 10:47a.m. the earth heaved upwards and swayed (McGregor, 1998).
How many people left Napier after the earthquake?
The day after the earthquake, Napier was officially evacuated. With water and sewage pipes out of action, the risk of disease was high. Over 5000 people left the city, including many of the injured that could be moved. Half-destroyed buildings were completely demolished in the interests of safety.
What was the intensity of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake?
The effects of the earthquake were greatest in the towns of Napier and Hastings, but other towns in the Hawke’s Bay also suffered major damage. The maximum intensity reached was MM 10, with extensive fissuring, slumping and landslides occurring over much of Hawke’s Bay.